Reception tonight for 'Life as a Muslim Girl in Maine' exhibit

LEWISTON — A reception for the photo exhibit “‘Life as a Muslim Girl in Maine: Thoughts, Stories, and Images” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight, Oct. 5, at the Atrium Gallery, University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn College, 51 Westminster St.

The portraits and accompanying writings featured in “Life as a Muslim Girl in Maine” were inspired by visits in March with Zainah Anwar of Malaysia, who is the director of Musawah, a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family. She is also a founding member and former executive director of Sisters in Islam. She is at the forefront of the Islamic feminist movement, which seeks to end the use of Islam to justify discrimination against women.

Anwar met with 23 young women at Deering and Lewiston high schools as part of the Justice For Women lecture series. Students met in small groups with Anwar and shared their stories and experiences as Muslim women. Learning about Anwar’s work motivated these young women to participate in the creation of this exhibit.

The exhibit is free and open to the public and will be hung through Nov. 9.

FMI: Online at justiceforwomenme.orgc or the Justice For Women Maine

Photo from exhibit “‘Life as a Muslim Girl in Maine: Thoughts, Stories, and Images” hanging a the Atrium Gallery, University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn College, 51 Westminster St., Lewiston.